Coin-actuated electric numbering machine



Feb. 3, 1959 v. G. scuRA COIN-ACTUATED ELECTRIC NUMBERING MACHINE FiledNov. 18, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 8 ATTORNEYS.

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C m e H 4 Sheefs-Sheet 2 .V. G. SCURA COIN-ACTUATED ELECTRIC NUMBERINGMACHINE Filed NOV. 18, 1955 Feb. 3, 1959 INVENTOR. Huebner, Beeh/er,Warre/ Herzl} AT ORNEYS.

Feb. 3, 1959 v. e. scuRA 2,872,008

COIN-ACTUATED ELECTRIC NUMBERING MACHINE Filed Nov. 18, 1955 4Sheets-Sheet 3 VINCENT 6. SCURA, INVENTOR. a v Huebner, Bach/er,

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ATTORNEY-5.

V. G- SCURA Feb. 3,1959

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYS.

2,872,008 COIN-ACTUATED ELECTRIC NUMBERING MAC 1 Vincent G. Scura,Studio City, Calif., assignor to Dubl-chek Corporation, Los Angeles,Caiit a corporation of California The present invention relates to anumbering machine for stamping consecutive numbers on separate pieces ofpaper, such as checks, for example, and in particular to a coin actuatedelectric numbering machine for automatically stamping consecutiveidentification numbers on individual checks.

It has become the practice, for the purpose of reducing loss, to have aphotograph made of the person seeking to cash a check together with thecheck before the check is cashed. in the event that the check isfraudulent, the record will connect the person with the fraudulent checkand assist in apprehending the criminal. For convenience in maintainingrecords and for rapidly locating the filed photograph of the check andperson passing the check, an individual identification number is stampedon the check before the photograph is made. To speed up the operation ofstamping the identification number on each check as a preliminary stepto photographing the check and check passer, it is desirable to have anumbering machine associated with the cameras so that a simple numberstamping and photographing procedure can be established and maintained.Furthermore, it is desirable that the cost of the number stampingoperation and the photographing operation be paid by the check passerbecause the check is being cashed for his benefit.

Accordingly, an important object of the invention is to provide a coinactuated number stamping machine capable of conveniently and rapidlystamping an individual identification number on a check.

Another object is to provide an efiicient electric numbering machinethat automatically changes to the next consecutive number after stampinga number on paper.

A further object is to provide a convenient and efficient electricnumber stamping machine actuated by dropping a coin into a slot andcapable of reliably stamping individual identification numbers on checkssubmitted to the machine in consecutive order.

Additional objects will become apparent from the fol lowing description:

In general terms, my invention comprises an electric numbering machinecontaining a numbering stamp, a solenoid operatively associated with thestamp for actuating the same when the solenoid is energized, and a coinactuated switch for making contact between a source of electrical energyand the solenoid. A stamper shaft preferably is connected to thestamping mechanism and made of permeable material to serve as the coreof the solenoid. A relay preferably is connected to a source ofelectrical energy and operatively associated with the solenoid forenergizing the same when the relay is energized. The relay preferably isof the locking type provided with a pull-in coil and a reset coil.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the circuit is arranged sothat a coin, such as a dime, when introduced into a slot in thenumbering machine energizes the pullin coil of the relay and locks itscontacts in a second circuit. A check upon being introduced into themachine trips micro-switch to complete thesecond circuit to a 2,872,008Patented Feb. 3, .1959

solenoid which is coupled to the stamper shaft so that the shaft isthrust forward to stamp a number on the check. A flexible arm attachedto the stamper shaft mechanically contacts another micro-switch afterthe number has been stamped, thereby energizing the reset coil whichunlocks the relay and opens the solenoid. The numbering machine is thenset to receive another coin and check to repeat the cycle of operations.

A more detailed description of a specific embodiment of the invention isgiven with reference to the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the enclosed numbering machine asapplied to numbering checks with an individual identification numberupon the introduction of a coin into the machine;

Figure 2 is a circuit diagram schematically showing the arrangement ofthe components in the machine shown in Figures 3 and 4;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure4;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 55 of Figure3;

Figure 6 is a similar view taken along theline 66 of Figure 3; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detailed view of a portion of Figure 5 showinga micro-switch actuatedby a check introduced into the machine.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, an automatically changingnumbering machine 10 provided with multiple movement is suitably mountedon a sheet metal bottom plate 11 in a bracket 12 by nuts and bolts 13.

A cover 14 is removably fastened over the bottom 11- by rods 16 fittingin apertures cut through flanges 17 at the opposite ends of the bottom11 and in registering apertures cut through the bottom of the sides ofcover 14. .The rods 16 areprovided at one end thereof with compressionsprings 18 loaded against a Washer 19 and cotter pin 21 to tightlyretain rods 16 in positionfand lock cover 14 over bottom 11.

A check slot 22 is' cut through a portion of the top and side of cover14. Check guide plates23 and 24 are mounted inside cover 14 in alignmentwith the check slot 22. The check guide plates 23 and 24 are mountedparallel with respect to each other but are bent at an angle at theiredges adjacent the guide slot 22 to form a flared arrangement forguiding a check inserted in slot 22 between the check guide plates 23and 24.

Check guide plate 23 is adjacent the stamping end of numbering machine1% and is provided with an aperture so that the numbering machine canstamp a number on a check when inserted into slot 22 between guideplates 23- and 24. Guide plate 24 also is provided with an aperture inregistry with the one inplate 23. A stamping pad 26 is held tightlyagainst the aperture in plate 24 by a bracket 27 mounted on bottom plate11 by nuts and bolts 28. The stamping pad 26 and bracket 27 providestamper shaft through a link 38 carrying a screw 39 slidably fitted in aslot 41 in a plate 42 mounted on a collar 43 attached to stamper shaft29. Each stamping cycle of the numbering'machine 10 is indicated on thecounter 37, and the total num er of stampings at a,

given time can be seen through an opening 44 in the top of cover 14.

A micro-switch 46 is mounted on bottom plate 11 by a bracket 47 and nutsand bolts 48. A contact as of the micro-switch is directed toward theflexible arm 32 and is positioned so that when the stamper shaft 29 hasadvanced the stamp into position to stamp a number on a check flexiblearm 32 will contact point 49 and trip micro-switch 46.

The stamper shaft 29 is made of permeable material, such assoft iron,and extends into the coil of a solenoid 51 to function as a core for thesolenoid. The solenoid 51 is mounted .on bottom plate '11 by means ofnuts and bolts'SZ' so that the axis of the solenoid isin alignment withthat of the stamper shaft 29. i

A micro-switchSSis mounted adjacent the bottom of checkguide plates 23and 24. Aresilient strip extends upward between the guide plates 23 and24 at an angle to the bottom plate .11 to whichit'is fastened, .as bestshown in Figure 5. The resilient member 54 normally engages a crank 56and when a check 57 is inserted through checkslot 22 and between guideplates 23 and 24 resilient member 54 is depressed toward bottom plate11- and crank 56 is turned .in a clockwise direction toclosemicro-switch 53. When the check 57 isremoved from the machine,resilient member 54 moves upward in a clockwise direction and isfollowed by crank 56 in a counterclockwise direction to openmicro-switch 53. The closing and opening positions of micro-switch 53are best shown in Figures 5 and 7.

. A locking relay also is mounted on bottom plate 11 at 58 by nuts andbolts 59. The locking relay is provided with a pull-in coil, amechanical contact locking mechanism, and a reset coil of conventionaldesign.

A coin receiving means 61 is mounted above a slot in the top of cover 14by screws 62 and is adapted to receive and drop a coin 64, such as adime, through the slot in the top of cover 14, as indicated in Figure 6.While dropping toward coin box 63, the coin 64 engages a lever 66 anddepresses the lever in a clockwise direction to a point shown in dottedoutline, at which the coin slides over the end of the lever 66 and dropsthrough a slot in the top of coin box 63. The movement of the coin 64 indepressing the lever 66 takes place through a coin guide 67. Themovement of the lever 66 with the coin 64 from its normal uppermostposition to its lowermost position shown in dotted outline causes aclosing of micro-switch 68.

Coin box 63 is positioned with positioning pins at 69 on bottom plate11. The cover of the coin box is normally-locked on, such as by a lock71, so that a filled coin box may be removed and then replaced with anempty one. Thus, the person removing the filled coin box does not haveaccess to the coins. The cover 14 normally is locked on bottom plate 11by a lock 72in protect the numbering machine components from beingtampered with and to discourageanyone from attempting'to break into thecoin box 63.

The operation of the specific embodiment of the invention describedabove will be explained primarily with reference to the circuit diagramof Figure 2. The plug 73 at the end of cord 74 is plugged into a sourceof electrical energy 76. The operator, desiring to cash a check afterhaving an identifying number stamped there on, places a coin 64 into thecoin receptacle 61 and the coin drops through .a slot in the top ofcover 14 as previously described. Lover 66 is tripped by coin 64 andmicro-switch 68 is .closed momentarily. This energizes the pull-in coilof the locking relay 581. The energized pull-in coil closes contact. at77. The switch blade 77 is then held closed by a latch78 of a reset coil79. The.

check 57, upon being inserted into slot 22'between guide plates .23 and24, trips micro-switch 53, closing it as shown inkFigure '7, andcompletes'the circuit to the solenoid 51 through Zthe micro-switch 4.6.This energizes the solenoid and causes it to thrust stamper shaft 29forward and to cause an individual identifying number to be stamped oncheck 57. It will be seen that the operator desiring to cash a check mayfirst place the check in the slot 22 which trips micro-switch 53, thenplace a coin 64 into the coin receptacle, to complete the circuit to thesolenoid.

As the number is stamped on check 57, flexible arm 32 mechanicallycontacts contact point 49 on microswitch 46, thereby energizing a resetcoil 79 in the relay 58. The energized reset coil unlatches blade 77 tounlock relay 58 and de-energize the solenoid 51. This shut-off actionutilizes the principle of inertia in that the flexible arm 32 ismomentarily left behind by the forward thrust of the stamper shaft 29bythe solenoid 51. A fraction of a second after the solenoid core orstamper shaft 29 comes forward to stamp the number, the flexible armmakes contact with the point 4% of the micro-switch 46 and the stampershaft 29 of the solenoid is released to its original position throughthe utilization of the coil spring 31. surrounding the stamper shaft 29.When the check 57 is withdrawn from the machine, micro-switch 53 returnsto the open position as shown in Figure 5 and micro-switch 68automatically returns to the open position after a coin 64 has trippedit as described previously. Contact 77 and latch 78 return to the openposition shown in the diagram and the machine is ready to go throughanother cycle of operations upon the introduction of another coin 64 andanother check 57.

It will be seen in the diagram in Figure 2 that a first circuit isformed with a source of electrical energy and a coin actuatedmicro-switch 68 and relay 53 connected in series. A second circuit isconnected to the source of electrical energy 76 in parallel to the firstcircuit. The second circuit contains in series connection the contact77, the check actuated micro-switch 53, the solenoidSl, and normallyclosed micro-switch e. The reset coil 79 of the locking relay 58 isconnected in parallel with the relay contact 77, micro-switch 53, andsolenoid 51 through a contact point 30 of micro-switch 46.

it will be understood that variations and change-sin the circuit diagramcan be made and that similar changes in the components of the circuitcan be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. TheVeeder- Root counter, which indicates the number of checks stamped andthe number of coins received by the machine, has been shown to bemechanically coupled to the stamper shaft, but it will be understoodthat an electrically operated counter can be electrically coupled to thedescribed circuit. It will be understood that :dthOug'h the embodimentof the invention described. above in connection with the drawing wasspecifically applied to the numbering of-checks that the machine of theinvention can be applied to many other situations wherein it is desiredto stamp anumber, on a siip or sheet of paper or other material, andwherein it is desired to actuate the machine by the insertion of a cointherein. it is understood that such various applications of theinvention and such changes, modifications, and variations in thespecific numbering machine described above may be made within the scopeof the appended claims without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. An electric numbering machine for consecutively numbering successiveworkpieces comprising a consecutive numbering stamp, a stamper shaftconnected to stamp, a solenoid coupled to theshaft to actuate the shaftand the stamp for stamping a number on a workpiece positioned adjacentthe stamp, a switch connected to the solenoid and arranged to establishelectrical connection to the solenoid by the positioningof a workpieceadjacent the stamp, a locking relay connected toa source of elec tricalenergy and operatively associated with the solenoid for energizing thesolenoid when the relay is locked, a coin-actuated switchoperativelyassociated with a coin slot Accordingly,

for energizing the relay by introduction of a coin in the slot, and aswitch operatively associated with the stamper shaft for unlocking therelay and electrically disconnecting the solenoid as the samp numbersthe workpiece.

2. An electric numbering machine for consecutively numbering workpieces,comprising a consecutive numbering stamp, a stamper shaft connected tothe stamp, a solenoid coupled to the shaft to actuate the shaft and thestamp for stamping a number on a workpiece positioned adjacent thestamp, a workpiece-actuated microswitch connected to the solenoid andarranged to temporarily establish electrical connection to the solenoidby the positioning of a workpiece adjacent the stamp, a locking relayhaving a pull-in coil and a re-set coil operatively associated with thesolenoid for energizing the solenoid when the relay is locked, thepull-in coil being connected to a source of electrical energy, acoin-actuated micro-switch operatively associated with a coin slot andconnected to the pull-in coil for temporarily energizing the pull-incoil upon introduction of a particular denomination coin in the slot bycompleting a circuit and locking the relay contacts in a second circuitconnected to the source of electrical energy in parallel to thefirst-mentioned circuit, the second circuit containing in seriesconnection the relay contacts, the workpiece-actuated microswitch andthe solenoid, the reset coil being connected in parallel with the relaycontacts, the workpiece-actuated micro-switch and the solenoid, and ashut-off microswitch operatively associated with the stamp forenergizing the re-set coil when the stamp has numbered the workpiece andfor unlocking the relay and de-energizing the solenoid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,000,613 Lambertt Aug. 15, 1911 2,077,724 Svenson Apr. 20, 19372,266,825 Streckfuss Dec. 23, 1941 2,328,858 Sweetland Sept. 7, 19432,342,048 Halfin Feb. 15, 1944

